Jeanette Winterson to close London shop due to business rates surge

Author of Orange Are Not The Only Fruit to shut deli in Spitafields after rateable value rises from £21,500 to £54,000

The writer Jeanette Winterson is to close her shop in London because of an overhaul of the business rates system, which will dramatically increase the amount of tax retailers pay in the capital.

The award-winning author of Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit said the delicatessen she owns in Spitalfields, east London, would have to shut because the rateable value had rocketed from £21,500 to £54,000.

My shop in London set to close under the new business rate. Rateable value rocketing from 21;5k to 54k.Tories party of small business? http://pic.twitter.com/8ASqu2sfPe

Related: We need to build a new left. Labour means nothing today

Continue reading...